Public health champions in the making: An innovative undergraduate nursing pedagogy

This manuscript describes an innovative approach to public health nursing education. Health care delivery is radically shifting to non-acute, community-based settings, warranting a new-thinking graduate who is comfortable responding to societal trends in health and wellness. Graduates must confidently work to address social determinants of health to improve health outcomes and advance health equity.

We propose a unique pedagogy designed to prepare baccalaureate nursing students to work effectively in the community setting by developing seminars that address pressing, relevant public health initiatives.

We describe our experience integrating community-based Naloxone, Stop the Bleed, and Mental Health First Aid training to the curriculum. We outline a session designed to inform future health care providers about provision of care to suspected victims of human trafficking.

As a novice program, we have not formally evaluated the described pedagogy for specific outcome measures.

We include guidance for implementing a similar program and plans for future evaluation of this unique public health nursing pedagogy.

We are confident that future iterations of this pedagogy will continue to foster robust public health nursing skills among BSN students.